Historical Archives

Overview

Introduction to Oral History:

Oral history records and documents the history and intangible heritage of the United Arab Emirates through oral narratives and firsthand accounts stored in the memories of elderly people and witnesses to the times. Oral history monitors historical events and lifestyles in the past to preserve the material and moral characteristics of the UAE society for future generations by conducting audio and video interviews, which are subsequently classified and indexed to enrich the National Archives' holdings.

Oral history objectives:

- Documenting the oral memory of the narrators, whose reminiscences are considered a historical reference, in their own voices and expressions.
- Recording historical events in a chronological order; since firsthand accounts of these interviewees are instrumental in documenting what has been overlooked in foreign documents.
- Enriching the National Archives holdings, creating a database, and preserving the accumulated oral history interviews in order to make a positive contribution to the efforts of researchers and students.
- Extracting historical material and acquainting youngsters with it and with the various lifestyles and their evolution in all UAE regions before and after the Union.

Oral History Output:

- Publishing the historical, cultural and heritage output in the form of publications, books and smart applications.
- Presenting the narrator’s historical role as a witness to the times.
- Supporting researchers in their investigations of documents and verifying them against the oral narratives of those who witnessed the events; since they are the memory and the history of the nation.
- Promoting national identity, pride in the homeland's achievements and reinforcing the sense of loyalty and belonging.
- Positively influencing family and social bonds.
- Introducing the UAE values, principles, customs and traditions.